Shiftable-cylinder drill unit



1929- R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL SHIFTABLE CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec. 2. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet M 741.; $5M Gwen W1 7 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1| ll 1 |||||l tlllllilllllll! ll IIIIIIHI HI Oct. 15, 1929. R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL SHIFTABLE CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec. 2, 1927 Oct. 15, 1929. R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL SHIFTABLE CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec; 2. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet Wlda 8 vemtou/ @513 QUOTA W134) I 1929- R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL SHI FTABLE CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec. 1927 3 oewcou/ Oct. 15, 1929. R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL 1, 3 ,7 8

SHIFTABLECYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec. 2, 1927 e Shets-Sheet 5 R. M. GALLOWAY ET AL SHIFTABLE CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Filed Dec, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 N ME n amtou 31 WA LV/ IWQL tools has been greatly improved thereby as a Patented Oct. 15, 1929 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT M. GALLOWAY AND ROBERT A. SCHAFER, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO THE NATIONAL AUTOMATIC TOOL COMPANY, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, A COR- ]?ORATION OF INDIANA SHIFTABLE-CYLINDER DRILL UNIT Application filed December 2, 1927. Serial No. 237,160.

One of the greatest advances in the. art of machine tools has been that of the application of hydraulic means thereto for the operation of various elements. The operation of these result of the characteristics of hydraulic operation such as smoothness, freedom from backis designed to improve upon thi lash, and ability to give upon meeting an unusual obstruction. The present invention s important phase of machine tool construction. v

In the constructions heretofore employed, the motor for moving a tool-head usually consists in general of acylinder mounted in a fixed head or portion of the frame and a piston slidable therein having its pistonrod secured to the movable head. In order that the machine might have a reasonably long movement of the head to adapt it to a fairly large range of work, it was necessary thatthe cylinder be comparatively long in accordance with the movement of the head. Such an arrangement resulted in the fixed head or bracket carrying the cylinder being otherwise unnecessarily long, or in having the cylinder project therefrom in an unsightly manner. The main frame was also required to be longer and the machine as a whole requiring more space.

The present invention is designed to obviate these and other disadvantages and employs such a construction that the cylinder is" in space occupied, and affords a far more sturdy constru tion.'

Other featur of this invention which contribute to the general compactness and sturdiness of the machine include a driving motor mounted on the movable head and driving connections to the operated elements such as The movable member v a rotary spindle. Such an arrangement does away with unsightly and complicated hanism accompanying splined shafts or travellin belts. n K

A characteristic feature of the operation of various types of machine tools to which this invention is adapted consists of a cycle of movements of a head whereby it is causedto partake of a forward movement part only of which may be the working stroke and then a return to the initial position where it remains stationary until a manipulation of the controls by the operator starts it on anew cycle. A common type of pump employed with the hydraulic operating means consists of a constant pressure and volume pump.

The pump operates continuousl and hence opens when a pressure exceeding a predetermined amount has, been arrived at. It is obvious, therefore, that under these circumstances the pump during the period that the working head remains at rest must operate under full power and the oil in being forced through the relief valve becomes heated to a very undesirable temperature.

The present invention provides a type of valve and operating mechanism therefor such that the above noted disadvantages are obviated." The valve disclosed'herein is provided with passages whereby, when the valve is moved to a position corresponding to the position of rest of the tool head, the flow from the pump is by-passed through the valvedirectly to the exhaust. during this period requires no appreciable amount of power. The oil is not required to pass through materially restricted openings and consequently does not become overheated. In view of the 'facfithat a tool head often remainsin a stationary position for a considerable length of time, while the work The pump, therefore,

is changed or perhaps an auxiliary operation is performed thereon by other tool heads, the

designed to meet certain other situations which are commonin the construction and operation of machine tools. In 'some machines, for example, the hydraulic pump is designed'to supply fluid to more than one hydraulic cylinder. In such a amine .be undesirable to by-pass the fluid from the pump upon one of the operating heads upon haust and while inthe other the valve closes the line to the pump off entirely. In the first case the valve is adapted to a situation where the pump supplies but a single head while in the latter the valve is adapted to be usedwhere a plurality of heads are driven from the same pump. Governing or adjusting means in conjunction with the valve actuating mechanism are provided whereby the valve may, be caused to regularly assume the desired neutral position during the normal operation of the machine.

Other objects of the invention include a special arrangement of fluid connections through the stationary piston rod which arrangement 'contributes to the' general compactness of the organization and eliminates flexible tubing and joints and other exposed fluid connections subject to injury and leakage. I

Further objects include specific operating and control means particularly adaptable to the above novel arrangement of the major elements.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description andin part rendered apparent therefrom in .conneetion with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same. in the various 'ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical eonstruct-ion' have been annexed as apart of this disclosure and, .in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which Figure 1 is a general organizational View of a horizontal drill unit. Fig. 2 1s a view slmrlar to Fig.1 showing additional details anda different type valve from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3is an elevational view look- I the type of valve employed in the machine of Fig. 2, the valves being shown in a developed section. Fig. 7 is a detached end view of the supporting bracket or head for the piston shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are developed sectional views of the type y alve employed by the machine shown in ig. 4. I

The invention'is shown embodied'in a horizontal drilling machine ,unit having the general features as shown in' Fig. 1, of a base or supporting frame '1, a bracket or head 2 rigidly fixed thereto and a frame or head 3 translatably mounted along the ways 4 of the base 1 and held thereon by the strapsd. The frame 3 carries a fluid cylinder 5 which may be integral therewith or detachably mounted therein. The upper or outer face of the frame carriesa suitable driving motor here shown as an electric motor 6. J

' Further details are more clearly shown in Fig. 2. A spindle bracket 7 is secured to the forward end of the frame 3. This maybe" a single or multiple spindle head and is herein shown as a two spindle cluster box. The bracket 7 carryin the gear train 8 is adapted to drive the spindles 9 herein shown as drill spindles carrying the drills 10. A flexible coupling 11 connects the drive shaft 12 of th motor with the gearing in the spindle bracket. The above construction is shown mounted on a horizontal frame, but it is obvious that the novel features of this invention may be incorporated in a machine having a vertical supporting frame and that there may be a plurality of movable heads mounted in any desired relation with respect to each other.

The herein disclosed arrangement of the elements whereby the fluid cylinder is located in the movable member and the piston rod and piston are held in fixed relation to the main support results in a very compact sturdy organization. As appears in Fig. 2, for example, the overall length of the unit is but slightlygreater than the length of the cylinder and likewise the range of translatory movement of the spindle head. The novel organization presents a. flexible tool unit having an increased range of operation but requiring less space than prior co 'structions. The cylinder is centrally and rigidly mounted in the base ofthe translatable frame and carries thereabove the driving motor in close and permanent connection with the driven spindle thus forming a well balanced closely assembled unit.

The bracket 2 has fixed therein thedpiston rod 14 tothe outer end of which a pistoif 15 is secured suitable packing. means 16 being provided for the outer end of the cylinder.

The piston rod is made hollow serving thereby as a fluidpassage for the pressure fluid admitted thereto through the pipe 17 and entering the cylinder through the openings 18 of the piston rod. A pipe 19 is also centrally mounted in the piston rod andis adapted to conveyfluid to theouter end of the cylinder from the pipe 20. Exposed flexible tubing and joints are thus entirely eliminated;

The valve means of Fig. 2 will now be described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6 which show. the specific valve member construction. The valve'means include a casing 22 having therein the sleeve 23 and the valve member 24. The valye member is secured to a reciprocably mounted rod 25 to the opposite end of-whiclf is secured suitable detent, means mounted within the housing 26. The detent means include a triplatch member 27 having an upwardly extending portion 27 against which the actuating pins 29 and 30 are adapted to bear as best shown in Fig. 3. A spring 31 serves to normally forcethe latch member 27 into engagement with the notches,

of the stepped slide member 28 secured to the' valve rod 25. A series of dogs 33, 34 and '35 are mounted on a plate .36 secured to the movable frame 3. T-slots 37 and 38 permit the ready removal of the dogs for substitution of other types or for adjustment relative to the frame in accordance with the cycle to be performed. The valve and its attached mechanism is normally urged to the right by means of the spring 40 engaged between-the casing 26 at the point 41 and at the other end of -thespring the collar 42 adjustably fixed to the rod 25.

The resetting, valve includes a cylinder 43 within which is mounted the piston 44 secured to the valve rod 25. The pipe 45 serves as a connection through which compressed air' may be admitted to reset the valve in a mannor to be later described. The valve casing is provided with fluid connections comprising the pipe 47 leading to the exhaust, pipe 48 to convey fluid from the source of pressure fluid, pipe '17 leading through the piston rod to the 1(l ght end of the cylinder shown in Fig.

2 and pipe 20 leading'through the pipe 19 to the left end of the cylinder. The pipe\20 has two connections with the interior of the valve consisting of port 49 leading directly therein and the port 50 connected through an adjustable valve 51 with the port52. Figs. 5 and. 6 are diagrammatic to the extent that valve 51 is shown in the same plane with the connection for pipe 20 whereas in-the main figures they are shown as angularlj displaced. The valve 51 is adapted to be longitudinally adjusted in its sleeve 53 by means .of a screw connection 54, said valve being rotatable by any means such as the hand grasp'55 shown in Fig. 2 adapted to be attached to the outer end 56 of the valve member. The valve 51 'has'at its inner end a hollow portion 57 the wall of which is provided with a rectangular shaped opening 58 co-operative with the ports 59 and 50. The above described adjusting valve constitutes means for providing a slow traverse forward during the working operation and for its functioning is dependent upon the position of the valve 24 as will be later described. The slot 58., being relatively narrow, provides a very fineadjustment and the resulting opening is of such proportion and shape as not to form a lodging place for foreign matter in the operating fluid, such as would be thecaseif the restricted opening,

through the annular groove 60, through pipe 20, to the outer end of the cylinder. At the same time fluid returns from the right end of the cylinder through pipe 17, an annular passage 61 of the valve and outthe exhaust pipe 47. In this position of the valve the head is moving rapidly forward preparatory for its working stroke. The next position is shown in F ig."5 in dotted lines therein in "which case the port 49 is closed off and the fluid. is fel to the outer end of the cylinder through 1) rt 52 and the adjustable valve 51, the remaining op ration being the same as before. it is to be understood that either one of-these positions may be eliminated by suit able construction and operation of the detent means in accordance with the particular type of work to be performed. The position of the valve shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to the position of the slide member 28 shown in Fig. 2. Upon the latch being tripped by the dog 34 the ""valve assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the slide member 28 being moved to the right so that the locking member 27 engages the next succecding notch shown at 62. 1

The next position of the valve is shown in Fig. 6 wherein exhaust from the left end of the cylinder takes place through ,the hollow interior 63out through the opening 64 to the exhaust pipe 47. The pressure fluid being admitted to the right-end of the cylinder thru the groove-60. The stop position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 isthe position as sumed by the valve after the latch mechanismjghas been tripped by the dog 33, as shown in 2'the valve' therein' being. about to.

I moveto ts extreme rlght hand position; In

the dotted line position'shown in Fig. 6 the valvepiston 65 closes off theinlet pipe 48 and the tool head remains atrest until resetting of the valve by means of the operation of the piston 44. 'ItJnay be observed, that both ends of the hollow piston valve are at all'times opento the exhaust and that therefore the valve is well balanced.

- The upright drill shown in Figs. 4 and 8 to 1O, inclusive, constitutes a modification of the apparatus heretofore described and comprises the frame 69 having the table 70 vertically adjustable thereon and the speed box or head 71 fixedly mounted at the upper end of the frame. The frame carries intermediate its ends the tool head 72 translatably mounted on vertical ways. ,Any suitable driving mechanism may be provided and as shown herein comprises a prime mover 73 mounted within the frame having a belted connection 74-with the mechanism in the upper gear housing for rotating the drill spindle 75 rotatably mounted in the movable head 72. A manual lever 76 operates the clutch 76 for disconnecting the driving means from the driven gearing.

The head 72 includes a cylinder fixed therein as in the previously described construction'and is adapted to receive the piston 15 attached to the piston rod 14 which in turn is secured in the casing 71 in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 2 wherein the 'piston rod is secured to the fixed member 2. A pump 77 is geared to the driving mechanism in the head and is adapted to supply fluid through the pipe 78 to be distributed to the work cylinder. The overflow pipe 81 leads to a sump or reservoir mounted within the frame, the pipe 81 being connected in a well known manner with a relief valve for the pump. Exhaust from the cylinders takes place through the pipe 80 which is connected into 81 and through 82 to the sump. The fluid is delivered to the pump 77 through the pipe 79. The valve actuating mechanism-is somewhat similar to that described in connection with Fig. 2 and comprises a valve rod 83 having secured thereto the stepped slide 84 co-operative with a spring-pressed locking member 85 which may be either manually operated by the hand push rod 86 or by the dogs 87, 88 and 89 in a manner similar to that previously described. The valve is normally urged downwardly by meansof the spring89 engaging the collar 90. The setting means in this case consists of a manually operable lever 91 having a universal connection 92 with the. valve rod 83.

The details of the valve are shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, and include a casing 94 "to whichare connected'the fluid pipes previously described. The inner beret 'the easing is provided with a liner 95 hav ng suitable passages therein lor co-operatilon with the valve member 96. The position of the valve shown in Fig. 8 is that after it has been reset by 'the hand lever 91 and the head is moving on its rapid forward traverse. .In this position fluid enters from the pump through the pipe 78 andpasses through the annular groove 97 and out through the pipe 98 to the lower end of the fluid cylinder. Sin'iultancously the fluid in the upper end of the cylinder is exhausted through the pipe 99, through the port 100, the hollow interior 101, and out through the pipe 80 to the reservoir or sump.

The next succeeding position may be that shown in Fig. 9 in which position the tool head is moving on its slow forward working stroke. In this position the fluid passes through the restricted opening ol the valve 102 and the upper end of the cylinder continues to exhaust. The next position is that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. This position will result from the dog 89 engaging the trip latch and permitting the valve to occupy the position shown in dotted lines. in this position of the valve fluid flows through the pipe 78,- the annular groove 97 and out the pipe 99 to the upper end of the work cylinder. At the same time fluid from the lower end of the cylinder is exhausted through the pipe 98, annular groove 102, opening 103 through the hollow portion 101 and out the exhaust pipe 80. The next succeeding position of the valve is that resulting from the dog 87 engaging the trip latch and thereby releasing the valve to the position shown in Fig. 10 in either the full line or the dotted line position therein indicated. Inthe full line position the inlet 78 from the pump is closed oil entirely and the tool head remains at rest in the upper position as shown in Fig. 4.

As an alternative neutral positiomof the valve corresponding to the position ol rest or retracted position of the head the valve may be caused to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, in which position the groove 102 of the valve is positioned opposite the inlet 78 and the pressure fluid from the pump is permitted to freely pass to the exhaust through the annular groove 102, opening 103, and through the hollow valve to the,

exhaust pipe 80.

The last described operation of the valve presents a highly advantageous feature forming an important part of this invention. In the particular machine shown for example, the tool head 72 remains in its retracted position for a large portion of the time while the work is replaced on the work table by a new piece or a diil'crent tool is inserted. During this time the pump 77 continues to operate and the fluid is forced through the relief valve and out the pipe 81 to the reservoir. The fluid thereby often may become greatly overheated and an appreciable amount of power. wasted in operating the pump during this period. The valve therefore is designed, if such operation is desired, to be moved to the by-pass position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. Such an alteration in the normal operation may be easily made in any simple manner such as, for example, adjusting the collar 90 so as to govern the extent of movement ofthe valve rod 83 in its extreme position or the slide 84 may have notches therein corresponding to either position, the notch which the valveocciipies in its last position being determined by theamount which the trip latch was moved to the right which in turn could be governed by the length of the trip dog 87. A setscrew in the end of the valve cylinder could also be used to limit the extreme position o'fthe valve.

Returning to the organizational view of Fig. 1, the valve shown as employed therein is of the type shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive. As may be understood the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 may constitute merely a partial view. of a complete machine which is equipped with a plurality of heads. In thecase where the pump furnishes fluid to a single head, the by-pass position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 would be employed.- Where, however, the pump were connected to supply fluid to a plurality of movable members, the valve would be limited to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10. This would be required in order thatin case one head completed its cycle, the remaining head or heads would not be relieved of pressure until the respective cycle of all the heads had been completed. The valve 105 is accordingly designed to operate either as a by-pass valve or as a valve to close olf the fluid of the incoming line in accordance with the manner described in connection with Fig. 10. 'Such positioning of the valve maybe governed as heretofore described, one convenient method being to position the collar 106 on the valve rod 25 such that its engagement with the projecting annular boss 107 will stop the valve in the desired position. Another methodof selectively determining the neutral position of the: valve may be eifected by substituting different length dogs 33. For a relatively short'dog he triplatch would engage the shoulder 104 of the slide 104. A longer dog 33 would permit theshoulder 104 to pass free of the latch to the next position which is the bypass position. Still another method would be to change the slide 104. It is obvious also that the construction permits of.

the ready removal of either of the valve units shown in Figs. 1 or 2 and the substitution therefor of the other type.

Figure 1 is somewhat diagrammatic and shows the hydraulic pump at 108 adapted to be power driven in any desired manner either by an individual motor or as would normally be the case from some moving element on the machine. The exhaust pipe 47 leads to the sump or reservoir 110 likewise positioned at any desirable point on the machine dependent upon the general construction.

The general organization also includes a valve 111 adapted to supply pressure fluidto the cylinder 44 for resetting the valve or to the emergency release mechanism to be later described. The valve 111 may be any valve .,suitab'le for manual operation to alternately admit fluid to either of the devices noted. A

valve such as a Boss 4-way valve may be employed for this purpose. The valve is shown in its neutral position, in which both the pipes. 45 and 112 are opened through the valve to the exhaust. The movement of the handle 113 in one direction, about its axis 114, serve to admit fluid to the cylinder 44 for resetting of.the valve, while movement in the opposite direction, permits fluid to flow to the emergency release mechanism. Any pressure fluid may be employed for this purpose but ordinarily compressed air is preferable because of the fact that such a type fluid gives a quicker operation of the connected devices and is not subject to the sluggish operation which often results from the use of a hydraulic fluid through .a series of restricted fluid connections.

In the normal operation of the machine it is often desirable to return the working head to its initial or stop position prior to the completion of its working stroke. Such an instance would be that where a tool head had become broken or some other unusual circumstance arises. Fig. 3 shows the trip latch mechanism provided with a cylinder 115 within which slides the piston 116, the fluid pipe 112 opening thereinto at 117'. A projectingmember 118 engages the right angle arm 119 integral with the trip latch 27 to thereby release the slide 28 upon admission of fluid to the cylinder 1115. In the upright drill of Fig. 4 the emergency release is accomplished fromrthe standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefor, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims. I

Haying thus revealed this invention, we. claim asnew and desire to secure the follow ing combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of United States 1. In a machine tool a head movable through a working cycle and back to a position of rest; fluid pressure operating means therefor; a source of fluid under pressure; a valve having fluid connections'thereto and to said operating means; impositiv means tending to move said valve in one direction means for moving said valve in the opposite direction against said impositive means; means operable by movement of said head for retaining said valvecin successive positions against of the head to by-pass the fluid from the source directly to exhaust.

2. Fluid pressure operating means comprising a motor; a source of fluid under pressure; a valvefor controlling the flow of fluid to said motor from the source, said valve being adapted to have a pluralit of stop positions wherein no fluid is admitte to the motor; passages in said valve adapted in one of said stop positions to by-pass the fluid from the source directly to exhaust;means for actuating said valve; and means for governing the actuation of said valve to cause it to occupy a predetermined one ofsaid stop positions during normal operation.

,3. Fluid pressure operating means comprising'a motor; a power driven hydraulic pump for supplying fluid thereto; control valve means; means for actuating said valve through a plurality of cyclic positions for normal operation, said valve means having passages and being-designed to have two stop positions in one of which said valve means closes off said pump'and'in the other of which the valve means serves to connect it directly with the exhaust; and means for selectively controlling the actuation of said valve means to cause it to assume the desired one of said stop positions during normal operation.

4. A machine tool combining a support; a member mounted thereon for movement 'thru a series of steps to perform a working cycle, said member aving an initial stationary position; fluid pressure operating means therefor; a source of pressure fluid; a valve for controlling the admission and exhaust of the fluid from the operating means; means for moving said valve from initial position to start the working cycle; means for return ing said valve to initial position said valve being adapted to occupy any one ofa plurality of initial positions; and means for selectively determiningwhich of said initial positions said valve is normally returned to.

5. A machine tool combin'ing a support; a

member mounted thereon adapted to be moved from an initial stationary position thru a cycle of operations and back to the initial position; fluid pressure operating means thereforya" source'of pressure fluid; a distributing valve to control the move- .ments of said member; said valve having two initial positions corresponding to the stationary positions of said member in one of which said valvesfis adapted to close ofl' the source of fluid and in the other to connect thesource directly with the exhaust; and means for se-' lectivelydetermin ing which'of said-positions.

-.'the valve normallyoccupies 'during the stationary position of said member.

6. A machine tool combining a movable element; fluid pressure operating means therefor; a source of fluid under pressure; a distributing valve for controlling the flow of fluid; means for operating said valve to admission and to neutral positions; said valve havin a plurality of neutral positions in one 0 which the source of fluid is entirely closed off and in another. of which the source is connected directly to exhaust; and means for selectively determining which neutral position the valve will occupy during normal operation.

7. A distributing valve combining a casing; a hollow piston valve slidably mounted therein; a plurality of fluid connections to said casing comprising an exhaust outlet, an inlet and other fluid connections for supplying fluid to desired points; passages in the periphery of said valve for selectively connecting said other fluid connections with the exhaust or with the inlet; and a passage thru saidvalve communicating with the hollow interior thereof for connecting the inlet with the exhaust at a certain position of the valve.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names. a

ROBERT M. GALLOWAY. ROBERT A. SCHAFER. 

